托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to discuss a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry.' Mimicry is when one species evolves to look or behave like another species, often to gain a survival advantage. One classic example is the monarch butterfly and the viceroy butterfly. Monarchs are toxic to birds because they feed on milkweed, which contains toxins. Birds learn to avoid them after a bad experience. The viceroy, which is not toxic, has evolved to look almost identical to the monarch. By mimicking the monarch's appearance, the viceroy is also avoided by birds, even though it's harmless. Another example involves the octopus. The mimic octopus can change its color and shape to imitate dangerous sea creatures, like the lionfish or sea snake. When threatened, it transforms its body and movements to resemble these predators, scaring off potential attackers. In both cases, mimicry allows the species to survive without actually being dangerous themselves.